Former Auburn offensive coordinator and new Arkansas State University head football coach Gus Malzahn holds press conference Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Lad-Peebles Stadium. (Press-Register/Victor Calhoun)

MOBILE, Alabama - New Arkansas State coach Gus Malzahn had one prediction for Monday night's BCS championship game between No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama.

"Low scoring," he said.

As Auburn's offensive coordinator, Malzahn faced both teams this year and didn't fare well in either game.

LSU beat Auburn 45-10 in Baton Rouge, La., on Oct. 22.

Alabama beat Auburn 42-14 at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Nov. 26.

"My thoughts are those are the two best defenses I ever coached against," he said at a Saturday afternoon press conference for Sunday's GoDaddy.com Bowl. "They have outstanding defensive coaches, outstanding defensive players. Last year, we were playing our best football when we played South Carolina in the SEC championship game. But that layoff of 35 or 40 days was tough on us and, when you combine that with those two defenses, I really expect it to be low scoring. It will be fun to watch."

Malzahn said he thinks big plays will make a difference in the game because of the talent on the two defenses.

"You're going to have to have someone that can create plays when things break down because things will break down against those defenses," he said. "You are not going to consistently move the ball on either defense. So I think it will be a game of big plays."

Malzahn was in the championship game just one year ago, coaching Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton. He said Newton's success in the NFL this season came as no surprise to him.

"I know there were a lot of questions about can he read defenses and that type thing," he said. "What he did in the SEC in one year ... I'm very proud of him. He is an outstanding young man. He texted me right before the bowl (Auburn's win over Virginia in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Year's Eve). The sky is the limit for him. I wouldn't be surprised if we look back and he ends up being the best to ever play."